Design for Implementation Specialist

About the role

At DS Smith, we're redefining packaging through innovation, sustainability, and customer-focused solutions. We are looking for a Design for Implementation Specialist to join our team and play a critical role in transforming packaging concepts into manufacturable, commercially successful solutions.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced packaging professional who combines technical expertise, creativity, and project management skills to deliver high-quality packaging solutions that meet customer requirements while driving operational efficiency and continuous improvement.

Key responsibilities

• As a Design for Implementation Specialist, you will:
• Process and manage daily design enquiries from internal and external stakeholders.
• Assess customer insights and translate requirements into practical packaging solutions.
• Develop fit-for-purpose designs that balance performance, sustainability, manufacturing capability, and cost.
• Create and maintain technical and manufacturing drawings, including structural and graphic specifications.
• Support New Product Introduction (NPI) processes and manufacturing approvals.
• Route specifications through business systems to ensure accurate implementation.
• Produce prototypes and manage prototype materials to support customer and internal evaluations.
• Raise and manage tooling orders and technical specifications.
• Support production line trials, efficiency improvements, waste reduction initiatives, and margin enhancement projects.
• Provide support for board grade modelling, PACE activities, and packaging optimisation projects.
• Develop inbound and outbound logistics pallet plans to maximise supply chain efficiency.
• Collaborate closely with manufacturing, sales, innovation, commercial, and customer teams to ensure successful project delivery.

About you 

Essential Skills & Experience

• Minimum 3 years' design experience, packaging experience would be advantageous.
• Technical knowledge of packaging materials, manufacturing processes, and product development preferred.
• Experience using CAD software, preferably ArtiosCAD, alongside packaging-related software such as CAPE, Optim, or similar.
• Understanding of 2D and 3D technical drawings.
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and organisational skills.

Qualifications

• Packaging industry qualification or equivalent relevant experience.
• Product Design qualification or related discipline.
• Maths and English qualifications.
• Competent user of Microsoft Office applications.
• Competent user of CAD and graphics software.
• Health & Safety qualification desirable.
• Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma qualification desirable.

We're looking for someone who:

• Is a proactive self-starter with a creative mindset.
• Enjoys solving complex challenges and finding innovative solutions.
• Thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Shares best practices and supports continuous improvement.
• Demonstrates enthusiasm, resilience, and a commitment to excellence.
• Champions health and safety in everything they do.
• Builds strong relationships and collaborates effectively across teams.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Discretionary bonus
• 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays
• Pension scheme, life assurance and income protection
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Employee Discounts
• Cycle to work scheme

Location: Hinckley

Hours: Full Time

About us

We are DS Smith, together with International Paper, we are a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions and other fibre-based products. We believe a better, more sustainable tomorrow is possible with the right people, who challenge and support one another to enact positive change. We employ more than 65,000 colleagues in North America and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), who are experts in innovation, manufacturing, design, sales, sustainability, supply chain, and much more. Together with our customers, we make the world safer and more productive, one sustainable packaging solution at a time. Become part of a world-leading organisation and do your best work with us!

Fair recruitment at DS Smith

To fulfil our purpose of redefining packaging for a changing world, we aim to build a diverse, motivated, and engaged workforce. Our goal is to create a culture of inclusion where everyone is treated fairly, differences are valued, and everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed.

Our people come from diverse backgrounds, bring different perspectives, ideas and experiences to generate unique solutions focused on present and future

#LI-CE